BMW launched this generation inside the Munich Olympic Stadium in July 1975, and never once built an M3 version of it.
Lead trim: 315 M10 1.6 (1981) · up to 141 hp
Nobody in Burbles has spotted a BMW 3 Series E21 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactBMW launched this generation inside the Munich Olympic Stadium in July 1975, and never once built an M3 version of it.
The first-generation BMW 3 Series, produced from June 1975 to December 1983 to replace the 02 Series, styled under Paul Bracq and introduced to the public at the Munich Olympic Stadium in July 1975. It was built only as a sporty two-door saloon (plus Baur convertibles from 1978 to 1981), with six-cylinder models recognisable by quad round headlights. The 323i of 1978 was the first fuel-injected six and the flagship performance model; there was no M3, but several limited editions were based on the 323i. The Design Museum London lists it among "fifty cars that changed the world".
Real BMW 3 Series cards spotted on the street by Burbles collectors. Tap any card to flip it over, inspect the collector’s binder, or follow them.
VerifiedFIRST · WORLDWIDEFIRST PRINTONLY ONE IN VANCOUVERThe E36 is the odd one out in BMW's 3 Series history: the only generation sandwiched between two AWD-available cars (E30, E46) that never offered all-wheel drive.
VerifiedFIRST · WORLDWIDEFIRST PRINTThe F30 broke a tradition: "328i" had always meant a naturally-aspirated six, but this generation put a turbo four-cylinder under that badge.
VerifiedFIRST · WORLDWIDEFIRST PRINTONLY ONE IN VANCOUVERBuried inside this generation is one of BMW's rarest road cars: just 10 street-legal, V8-powered M3 GTR 'Straßen Version' examples were built in 2001, purely so the race car could meet homologation rules.
9 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 315 M10 1.6 (1981) | 1981–1983 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 74 hp | 81 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 316 M10 1.6 | 1975–1980 | 1.6 L Inline-4 | 89 hp | 91 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 318 M10 carburettor | 1975–1980 | Inline-4 | 97 hp | 105 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 318i M10B18 injected | 1980–1982 | Inline-4 | 104 hp | 107 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 320 M10 carburettor | 1975–1977 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 108 hp | 116 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 320/6 M20B20 carburettor six | 1977–1982 | 2.0 L Inline-6 | 120 hp | 118 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 320i (US) M10B20 | 1977–1979 | Inline-4 | 110 hp | 112 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 320i M10 fuel injection | 1975–1977 | 2.0 L Inline-4 | 123 hp | 127 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| 323i M20B23 injected six | 1978–1982 | 2.3 L Inline-6 | 141 hp | 140 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Nobody has claimed one yet.
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This 3 Series family broke new ground for the segment: the E93 convertible was BMW's first with a folding hardtop, and one of the first retractable hardtops at its price point.
Buried inside this generation is one of BMW's rarest road cars: just 10 street-legal, V8-powered M3 GTR 'Straßen Version' examples were built in 2001, purely so the race car could meet homologation rules.
The E36 is the odd one out in BMW's 3 Series history: the only generation sandwiched between two AWD-available cars (E30, E46) that never offered all-wheel drive.
The E30's bones live on in the cult BMW Z1 roadster, which borrowed a widened version of its front suspension and the 325i's drivetrain.
BMW launched this generation inside the Munich Olympic Stadium in July 1975, and never once built an M3 version of it.
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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